NAIA Football Players of the Week – No. 6 (Oct. 7)

Dodge, Harrison and Latimer earn NAIA football weekly awards by leading unranked teams to victory

October 07, 2013

By: Sam Knehans, Communications & Sports Information Intern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Austin Dodge of Southern Oregon is named the NAIA Football National Offensive Player of the Week; Trump Harrison of Faulkner (Ala.) is tabbed as the NAIA Football National Special Teams Player of the Week and Phil Latimer of Nebraska Wesleyan is recognized as the NAIA Football National Defensive Player of the Week, the national office announced Monday. The trio was chosen for their performances during the week of Sept. 30 – Oct. 6 and each was selected from a pool of conference and independent award winners.

Dodge, a junior from Vancouver, Wash., threw for 559 yards and eight touchdowns—both Southern Oregon single-game records—as the Raiders toppled Montana Tech 59-32. The quarterback distributed the attack, completing passes to eight different receivers including three who totaled at least 140 receiving yards. After starting the season 0-3, Dodge has led Southern Oregon to three-straight victories by an average margin of 42 points. Dodge, who has throw for at least 300 yards in each of the Raiders six games, leads the NAIA in passing yards per game (411.7), total offense (2501 yards), total offensive yards per game (416.8) and total passing (2470 yards).

Harrison, a Pasadena, Calif., native, had three kickoff returns for a combined 107 yards—including a season-long 46-yard return—as Faulkner defeated No. 5 Georgetown (Ky.) 55-31. But, the highlight of the game for the Eagles senior wide receiver and return man came when he fielded a punt at the 3-yard line and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. The score was the first return touchdown of Harrison’s collegiate career and just his second touchdown on the season. Harrison currently ranks among the NAIA leaders in total punt return yards (3rd, 232), all purpose yards (4th, 923), total kickoff return yards (6th, 434), punt return yards per attempt (6th, 17.8), all purpose yards per game (13th, 153.8), total receptions (27th, 26) and kickoff return yards per attempt (29th, 25.5).

Latimer, a defensive lineman from Broomfield, Colo., led the Nebraska Wesleyan defense with nine tackles, including five solo, as the Prairie Wolves took down No. 13 Doane (Neb.) 20-19. The junior also recorded 2.5 tackles for a loss, leading the Nebraska Wesleyan defensive unit that held the Tigers offense to 175 yards of total offense and six points in the upset win. Latimer currently ranks among the national leaders in tackles for loss per game (49th, 1.3) and total tackles for loss (50th, 6.5).

For a complete list of all the national statistical leaders, click here.